10 texts that shape my view of mission
Titus Presler, a missionary theologian, has proffered a definition of mission as “ministry in the dimension of difference.” Since mission in the Christian sense pertains to the person of Christ, we might modify this definition of mission as the process of crossing barriers of human difference, whether of race, class, or religion, in witness to […]
Biblical understanding for giving
What kind of message was Jesus trying to give us in Luke 8:1-3? After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) […]
Peace church planting webinar—Learn, pray, join
As part of the Learn, Pray, Join effort around peace church planting, Mennonite Church USA held this webinar with Mennonite Mission Network staff and a panel of church planters who shared some of their experiences, and learned about The Sent Network, a new online platform for those interested in church planting.
Biblical Storytelling and questions for reflection
If you are looking for something beyond a traditional sermon, consider biblical storytelling with reflective questions. Dozens of congregations have chosen this in the past few years! For biblical storytelling, I learn the scripture from the NRSV by heart and then “tell” it. What often happens in biblical storytelling is that the scripture moves from […]
Contemplative retreat leading
When you are looking for… Contemplative Space Spiritual Discernment Prayer Practices for Peacemakers Missional Visioning Biblical Storytelling… Contact me to customize your next leadership retreat, visioning session, regional training, congregational or conference gathering, and more! I have planned and guided spiritual retreats for small groups of 8–25 and larger gatherings […]
Mission in Conflict Zones
Anabaptists around the world are engaged in costly mission in conflict zones. Some of these Anabaptists face the threat of death, kidnapping, and rape. The articles in this issue of Anabaptist Witness show that many living and working in conflict zones find Anabaptist and Mennonite theology a helpful aide to their understanding and practice of […]
Discipleship—Copies of the Original
When they were hauled before the Sanhedrin, Peter and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, gave a very courageous defense to the question, "By what power or what name do you do this?" I love how the leadership responded to Peter’s defense. When they "realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they […]
Creating an Anabaptist church-planting culture
New faith communities do not fall out of the sky. They generally emerge slowly through the Spirit-guided vision, sweat, and intentional effort of followers of Jesus who believe that giving birth to new communities is, as Stanley Green puts it, “an essential part of our spiritual DNA as the body of Christ” (p. 1). The […]
Creador de héroes
"Cada iglesia tiene una historia diferente", dice el empresario y pastor Patrick O’Connel, "pero todas las iglesias necesitan una instancia clara de desarrollo de liderazgo para los líderes, tanto voluntarios como pagos. Lo que a menudo falta es un camino que conduzca a la multiplicación". A partir de las prácticas de Jesús, este libro se enfoca en […]
The Mobilization Flywheel
The Mobilization Flywheel contains a powerful new framework which every Christian and church needs to implement in their lives and ministries. Larry Walkemeyer and Todd Wilson reveal the kind of church that will empower believers to become everyday missionaries where they live, work, and play. The authors describe how every believer can live a fully mobilized […]
Sitting down while others stand up
Jane and Jerrell work half the year with indigenous church leaders in the Ecuadorian rain forest and half the year as mission workers and educators in the United States. It’s an unusual model and we asked what feedback they have heard. Here’s what Jerrell had to say: One bit of feedback that has been important […]
Sentarse y que otros se pongan de pie
Jane y Jerrell trabajan medio año con líderes de la iglesia en la selva tropical ecuatoriana y la otra mitad del año como obreros de la misión y educadores en los Estados Unidos. Es un modelo poco común, y les preguntamos por la devolución que reciben al respecto. Esto es lo que compartió Jerrell. Una […]